Job Duties

Hotel/Motel Managers may:

Greet and register guest

Make decisions concerning personnel, operations, service, and room rates

Resolve problems with guests

Plan budgets and authorize purchases made by the various departments in a hotel or motel

Deal with suppliers and vendors

Coordinate the activities of the front office, kitchen and dining room, and such departments as housekeeping, personnel, publicity, and maintenance

Talk with business and social groups to promote conventions, trade shows, banquets, exhibits, and other events

Participate in community affairs

Delegate authority and assign tasks to department heads

Train staff members

In small hotels and motels, the general or resident manager may perform much of the front office clerical work. Sometimes the owners of very small hotels and motels perform all the duties necessary for operation.

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OCCUPATIONAL SPECIALTIES

Hotel/Motel Managers may specialize in these areas:

187.117-038 HOTEL OR MOTEL MANAGERS direct and coordinate the operation of hotels and motels to ensure that they operate efficiently, show a profit, and provide the best possible accommodations for guests.

187.137-018 FRONT OFFICE MANAGERS supervise the front office activities of a hotel and take care of reservations, room assignments, special requests and inquiries, and problems arising from guests' complaints.

187.167-046 EXECUTIVE HOUSEKEEPERS direct and supervise entire institutional housekeeping programs and workers to ensure clean, orderly, and attractive conditions for public establishments such as hotels, motels, hospitals, and educational facilities.

320.137-014 LODGING FACILITIES MANAGERS supervise and maintain temporary or permanent lodging facilities such as small apartment houses, small hotels, trailer parks, tourist camps, and resorts.

In addition to learning about these specialties, you may also find it helpful to explore the following Career Exploration Scripts:

WORKING CONDITIONS AND REQUIREMENTS

Managers in large hotels supervise department managers who are in charge of supervising other hotel employees. Managers of small hotels or motels may supervise all employees directly. Managers spend much time working with other people.

Generally, surroundings are clean, comfortable, pleasant, and often luxurious.  They can vary from simple and homey to the most glamorous or sophisticated establishments.  Although most business is conducted from an office or from a lobby, the Manager may be required to do considerable walking, standing, or moving about while talking with various department heads or checking on hotel or motel operations. The pace of work depends on the type of establishment. Residential hotels operate at a less hectic pace than commercial and resort operations.  The work can be both physically and mentally strenuous because of the daily problems that arise.

Working hours for Hotel/Motel Managers can be long and irregular.  In addition to their regular work schedules, Managers are usually on call at all times. Some Managers may have to work split shifts or nights.  Resort Hotel/Motel Managers may work as many as 7 days a week during peak seasons.  Some managers of seasonal resorts may work part of the year in the north and part in the south as they are transferred to the areas which are "in season".  This practice is declining, however, because of the trend toward keeping resorts open year-round by having both summer and winter activities.  Some Managers who are employed by large hotel or motel chains may travel often, assisting the staff of newly-opened hotels and motels or providing aid to Hotels or Motels experiencing managerial difficulties.  Hotel/Motel Mangers working for large chains may also be transferred from one hotel or motel to another.  That may include relocating to another state, usually at the employer's expense.

You Should Prefer:

• Having business contact with people

• Communicating ideas

• Doing activities which bring appreciation from others

You Should Be Able To:

• Understand meanings of words/ideas & present information effectively

• Do a variety of duties, such as managing staff/preparing budgets

• Direct/coordinate/plan an entire activity/activities of others

• Get along with all types of people, employees/guests/community groups

• Make decisions based on personal judgment

• Use arithmetic quickly and accurately

• Use reason and logic

• Analyze procedures and determine how they might be improved

• Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing

• Use negotiating skills to solve problems

Math Problem You Should Be Able to Solve:

If on the average 2% of the reservations are not filled and your hotel has 100 rooms, how many rooms should you over-book?

Reading Example You Should Be Able to Read and Comprehend:

One basic strategy that has been used and adapted is division of labor-the practice of breaking down large, complex tasks into a series of small ones so that each worker can become an expert in his or her particular task.

Writing Example You Should Be Able to Produce:

You should be able to write a letter of apology to any customer that is not satisfied with the hotel.

Thinking Skill You Should Be Able to Demonstrate:

You should be able to decide the best way to quickly handle an upset customer that will not listen to reason.

EDUCATION AND PREPARATION OPPORTUNITIES

NOTE: On-The-Job Training provided by the employer or a Certificate (program of up to one year of study beyond High School) or an Associate Degree (two years of study beyond High School) or a Bachelor's Degree (four years of study beyond High School) may qualify a person for this occupation.

The following education and preparation opportunities are helpful in preparing for occupations in this Career Exploration Script:

***SCHOOL SUBJECTS***

0500 BUILDING TRADES , 0600 BUSINESS , 0700 CAREERS , 0900 COMMUNICATIONS , 1000 COMPUTERS , 1100 ECONOMICS , 1500 FOODS & NUTRITION , 2200 MATH , 3100 STUDY & WORK OPTIONS , 3300 TECHNOLOGY

***VOCATIONAL EDUCATION PROGRAMS***

027 BUILDING/HOME MAINTENANCE & SERVICES

Approved vocational education programs in Building & Home Maintenance & Services prepare students to clean and care for buildings and their contents. Instruction is given in using and caring for cleaning equipment and tools, dusting, wet mopping, scrubbing, waxing, and refinishing surfaces; cleaning windows and walls; applying cleaning solutions, protective coatings, and disinfectants; and purchasing custodial supplies.

Courses in other trade and industrial programs may be required for completion of this program.

High school students should consult their guidance office for more information about the specific requirements of this program at their school or area vocational education center.

***POSTSECONDARY PROGRAMS***

080 HOTEL & MOTEL MANAGEMENT

Programs in Hotel and Motel Management provide opportunities to gain the knowledge and skills needed to manage housing, housekeeping and food operations in institutions such as hotels, hospitals, resorts, clubs, recreation centers, and retirement complexes. Programs usually provide a broad general education, strong management and problem solving orientation balanced with technical skills. These skills are essential for career progression to upper management positions in the hospitality professions.

Courses will vary from school to school but may include:  

Search for a College and/or Instructional Program

***APPRENTICESHIP OPPORTUNITIES***

There are no Apprenticeships related to this Career Exploration Script.

***MILITARY TRAINING PROGRAM***

There are no Military Training Programs related to this Career Exploration Script.

E-Learning Courses and Programs

OPPORTUNITIES FOR EXPERIENCE AND METHODS OF ENTRY

Experience may be gained through summer or part-time work as housekeeping workers, kitchen helpers, desk clerks, maintenance workers, or bellhops in motels or hotels.  Summer work is available at many resort hotels and motels.  In addition, commercial establishments often have part-time positions available.  These entry jobs give an individual the opportunity to see the hotel or motel in operation and to deal with hotel guests directly.  Most 4-year college programs in hotel management require students to spend summers working in hotels and motels, in some cases, as assistant managers.  Secondary vocational education programs and military service may also provide experience.

                School-to-Work opportunities include:

informal apprenticeships

mentorships

job shadowing experiences

touring a local Hotel/Motel Manager employer

internships

volunteer work with a Hotel/Motel Manager employer

community service work with an agency

The most common method of entry into Hotel/Motel Manager positions is through promotion from a front office or departmental manager position.  Most entry-level jobs are obtained by direct application to employers.  Colleges with programs in hotel management often provide placement assistance to graduates.  Local offices of Michigan Works!  Agency might list openings.  Job opportunities are frequently listed in newspaper want ads and industry magazines.  In addition, you should access and search the Internet's on-line employment services sites such as:

You should also enter an electronic resume on these on-line services.

EARNINGS AND ADVANCEMENT

Salaries of Hotel/Motel Managers vary with type and size of property, its reputation, and geographic location. Managers with experience and a good reputation in the business earn higher salaries. Managers of small establishments sometimes receive little or no wages but may be provided with a residence and other benefits.

Nationally, recent bachelor's degree graduates in hotel and restaurant management were offered annual salaries ranging between $25,001 and $33,001in late 2006.  The average was $32,213.

Nationally, Hotel and Motel Managers earned annual salaries ranging from $21,134 to $ 63,349 in late 2006.  The average annual salary was $31,701.  The median yearly earnings of "all" workers in the U.S. were $33,852 in 2005.

New bachelor's degree graduates of the School of Hotel, Restaurant, and Institutional Management at Michigan State University were offered annual salaries averaging $35,138 (2005).  

In Michigan, some Hotel and Motel Managers earned annual salaries that ranged from $21,861 to $73,278 in late 2006.

In addition to regular pay, some Managers may receive a percentage of profits or a year-end bonus.

Owners who are Managers receive whatever fringe benefits they provide for themselves. Employed Hotel and Motel Managers may receive life insurance, health insurance, pensions, paid vacations, sick leave, and reimbursement for further education.  In addition, they may receive other benefits, such as living quarters, meals, parking, laundry, and other services.  Some companies have a savings and stock investment for salaried employees.

Hotel/Motel Managers may start out as bellhops or room clerks.  Many establishments promote from within so that ambitious employees have a good chance for advancement. College graduates in hotel administration usually enter trainee positions.  They may spend time working in every part of the Hotel/Motel to learn all areas of operation.  Advancement may also mean moving to a larger hotel.  Experience, education, and personal ability are important factors affecting advancement.  In the past, these were the most important factors.  Currently, the best advancement opportunities exist for individuals who have a college degree in hotel and motel administration.  Specialized training in hotel management is preferred and even required by most hotel chains, although some will hire inexperienced employees and train them in their own methods of management.

EMPLOYMENT AND OUTLOOK

There were about 58,200 Hotel and Motel Managers employed nationally in 2004.  Employment in this occupation is expected to increase about as fast as the average for all occupations through the year 2014.  About 43.9% of them were self-employed.  The industry distribution for Hotel and Motel Managers looked like this:

Most openings will occur as experienced Managers retire, die, or leave the occupation. Hotel/Motel managers work in Hotels, Motels and other Lodging facilities such as resort lodges, tourist and recreational camps, trailer parks, and private organization residence houses. Seasonal employment opportunities will be available in resort establishments that are open only part of the year.  Applicants with college degrees in hotel administration should have a decided edge in seeking entry positions and later advancement.

Business travel will continue to grow, and increased domestic and foreign tourism will also create demand for additional hotels and motels.  However, manager jobs are not expected to grow as rapidly as in the past because an increasing share of the hotel industry will be comprised of economy properties, which generally have fewer managers than full-service hotels. In the face of financial constraints, guests are becoming more bargain-conscious, and hotel chains are increasing the number of rooms in economy class hotels.  

Economy hotels offer clean, comfortable rooms and front desk services without costly extras like restaurants and room service.  Because there are not as many departments in each hotel, fewer managers are needed on the hotel premises.  Economy hotels have a general manager, and Regional offices of the hotel management company employ department managers, such as executive housekeepers, to oversee several hotels.  Although new employment growth is expected to be concentrated in economy hotels, large full-service hotels will continue to offer many trainee and managerial opportunities.

An estimated 1,250 Hotel/Motel Managers are employed in Michigan.

Employment of Hotel and Motel Managers in Michigan is expected to increase more slowly than the average for all occupations through the year 2012.  An average of 30 openings is expected annually, with 10 due to growth and 20 to replacement of Managers who retire, die, or leave the labor force for other reasons.  Additional openings will occur as Managers transfer to other jobs or occupations.  There appears to be a good balance in both the short and long run between the number of job openings and the supply of graduates from training programs in this field.

The greatest need in hotels, motels, and motor inns is for individuals in middle-management positions, such as assistant managers of food services or sales, in which they may prepare for positions as managers.  Although some jobs may be filled by individuals with college degrees in management, the best opportunities will be for those with degrees in hotel/motel administration or hospitality management.

MICHIGAN'S EMPLOYMENT OUTLOOK TO 2012

SOURCES OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Printed Occupational information is available upon written request from the sources below.

   Copyright © 2007 Michigan Department of Labor & Economic Growth